Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1887-10-07

how slow it is. It is growing slowly ouS
steadily. First came temperance, Whlch
was By no means total abstinence; then
total abstinence enforced by moral sua-
sion; then total abstinence 1.-THE sale OF
LIQUOR enforced by legal suasion. Step by
stepwe have come to this legal suasion, ana
the people have not yet used that power pu5
in their hands-in Augusta county we
have called only two local option elections.
one here and enc in staunton. 1t IS
very sensitive cause and easily receives
checks. From 1915 to 1859 the Sons Of
Temperance in Virginia ran up to 5000.
The work was done by moral suasion. But
then came a proposition to make use OF
the law. something the popular mind had
not yet been prepared for. 1t was pro-
posed to resort to tie law to stop tie sale
of liqucr. This measure was regarded oY
the Temperance people as too extreme ana
the order fell from $4,000 to 5000. AS an
evidence of the unpopularity OF extreme
measures at that date, Gen. Cooke, dis
t1nguished and brilliant man in Virginia,
a man who had done much and given
much for the cause, but who was an ex-
tremist of that day, was put up for
Grand Worthy Associate of the State, but
was beaten, those who beat him taking
me up as their candidate because of my
more conservative views. How slow the
growth of the sentiment in this State, may
be inferred from the fact that in the ear
Hest days OF Temperance, when it did not
prohibit wine and cider as drinks, Rev
Abner Clopton of Charlotte county. made
speech advocating it, and the people
became excited against him almost to the
mob pitch. 1t would be great mistake
to believe that all temperance men or
even all Local Optionists, now favor Pro-
hibition in Virginia"
Z How do you regard the third party as
political move?
"Politically, think this is no time for
third party. The triumph of the Repub-
lican party would be great calamity to
the people of Virginia, and l think no
Democrat should throw away vote on
the Prohibition ticket, which is simply
che way of helping the Republican ticket.
Prohibition in the State could be success
full before the legislature ?
II cannot say. The political parties
have not yet promised US that. They
have given US with great reluctance what
we have. It is probable that they might
give it to us. but I ain inclined to think
the public mind is not yet ready for Pro-
hibition. Its education has been slow, but
| it has produced marked change. Before
we had Temperance orders in Virginia
| all classes drank. Liquor was used in the
| harvest field, in society, by ministers OF
the gospel even. But the change has been
marked"
+, How has Local Option work in Way
nesboros
sit has made wonderful change. You
see cases before the court fer It's violation,
but the absence of lts public sale has made
a wonderful change. But we did not get
Local Option through third party. A
third party for Prohibition would never
| get out our strength, and it is only on
separate vote On the question Itself IN
mixed with any political issue. that we
shall ever get to the polls the full number
! Of voters in Virginia who favor it. have
said and still say let US avail ourselves of
the present law, before we attempt to try
something else. When that fails then l am
for the next best thing.
81 want it distinctly understood that [
am rot opposed to Prohibition, indeed that,
| h,,t
am opposed to such move at this time
! for reasons before given and therefore did
not attend the convent as delegate